Attachment plug-retaining device



Dec. 12, 1944. R. s. OBRIEN ATTACHMENT PLUG-RETAINING DEVICE Filed Nov. 17, 1943 Inventor A no me A, nos/Wave;

Patented Dec. 12, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ATTACHMENT PLUG-RETAINING DEVICE Richard s. OBrien, New York, N. Y. Application November 17, 1943, Serial No. 510,681

(01. 17s ss) the stem of screw Ill and interposed between the 3 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved device for retaining an electrical attachment plug engaged in the outlet of an outlet receptacle such as is commonly provided in house wiring systems.

More particularly, the present retaining device is especially useful in simultaneously retaining in place both of two outlet plugssimultaneously engaged in the outlets of a double or duplex outlet receptacles Y The primary object of the present invention is to provide a retaining device of the above kind which is very easy to use, highly efiicient in-use,

by means of a retaining device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view looking toward the left of Figure l, and

Figure 3 is an enlarged section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

By way of illustration, the present retaining device has been shown in use for retaining in place both of two attachmentplugs simultaneously engaged in the outlets of a double or duplex outlet receptacle having a front wall 5 and provided with the conventional cover plate 6 which is ordinarily held in place by means of a fastening screw, not shown, passing through an aperture in the plate 6 between the outlets and threaded into a threaded opening at I provided in the front wall 5. The attachment plugs are indicated at 8 and 9, respectively.

The present retaining device embodies an attaching screw l0 whose stem is threaded throughout the major portion of its length, but which is provided near its head with a smooth or unthreaded outer end portion l 2. Threaded onto thescrew in near, but a short distance removed from its inner end, is a stop nut 13, and slidably disposed on said stem outwardly of the nut I3 is a stopper-like body [4 preferably formed of rubber or equivalent yielding material. The body M tapers smaller in an inward direction, as at it, and has suitable metal washers l6 and I1 disposed at the opposite ends thereof. Encircling washer ll at the inner end of the body Hi and the stop nut I3 is a helical compression spring [8 which normally yieldingly urges the body l5 outwardly or in a direction away from the stop nut [3. Provided on the stem of screw it outwardly of the body I4 is a cup-shaped nut member 19 adapted to be engaged with the threaded portion of the stem of screw Ill and threaded inwardly to force the body [4 into engagement with the attachment plugs 8 and 9 against the action of the spring l8. When the nut l9 has been threaded inwardly to force the body [4 intov engagement with the plugs 8 and 9 with slight pressure, it is allowed to remain in this position so as to hold the plugs firmly in place against accidental removal or disengagement from the outlets of the outlet receptacle. It will, of course, be seen that the retaining device is installed in positio between the two outlet plugs by first removing the screw that ordinarily fastens the cover plate 6 in place withrespect to the outlet receptacle, and then threading the inner end portion of the screw l0 into the opening of the Wall 5 which was engaged by said fastening screw. The nut l3 acts as a stop to properly limit the distance at which the screw is threaded into the Wall 5, by engagement with the cover plate 6.

It will be noted that by threading the nut l9 outwardly on of the threaded portion of the stem of the screw It), said nut may be slid still further outwardly on the unthreaded portion I2 until the head of the screw I0 is positioned within the cavity of said nut IS, with the latter some distance removed from the securing position of the body It, as. illustrated in Figure 3. When this is done, the spring I8 forces the body l4 outwardly so as to disengage it from the plugs 8 and 9 and thereby permit intentional removal of said plugs from the outlets of the outlet receptacle.

While the present device has been illustrated and described in connection with two plugs engaged in the outlets of a double outlet receptacle, it will be understood that it can be used eificiently in connection with a single plug engaged in the outlet of a single outlet receptacle, the screw it being simply engaged in the openings of the face plate securing screw ordinarily provided at one side of the outlet of said outlet receptacle. It will also be noted that the device is easy to use and, for its use, simply requires the aid of a screw driver in removing the ordinary face plate securing screw and threading the screw Ill in its place. The device is characterized by its simple and durable construction, as well as its efiicient action in carrying out the desired function. Minor changes in the details of construction shown and described are contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as new is:

1. An attachment plug-retaining device comprising an elongated screw having a stop nut thereon at its inner end and adapted to replace the face plate securing screw or an outlet receptacle, a plug-engaging and retaining body slidably disposed on said screw outwardly of the stop nut for movement longitudinally of said screw, a helical compression spring interposed between said body and said nut for normally yieldingly urging the body outwardly to disengage it from the attachment plug, and a nut member th'readed on the outer portion of said screw and engageable with the body for forcing the latter inwardly against the action of said spring and against the attachment plug.

2. An attachment plug-retaining device comprising an elongated screw having a stop nut thereon at its inner end and adapted to replace the face plate securing screw of an outlet receptacle, a plug-engaging and retaining body slidably disposed on said screw outwardly of the stop nut for movement longitudinally of said screw, a helical compression spring interposed between said body and said nut for normally yieldingly urging the body outwardly to disengage it from the attachment plug, and a nut member threaded on the outer portion of said screw and engageable with the body for forcing the latter inwardly against the action of said spring and against the attachment plug, said elongated screw having an unthreaded outer stem portion, and said last-named nut being of cup shape and adapted to be threaded outwardly to disengage from the threaded portion of the stemi of said elongated screw and to then slide outwardly on the unthreaded stem portion to a position with the head of said elongated screw received within its cavity, thereby permitting the spring to force the body outwardly a sufficient distance to disengage from and move clear of the attachment plug so that the latter may be intentionally removed from the outlet of said outlet receptacle.

3. An attachment plug-retaining device of the character described comprising an elongated screw adapted to replace the securing screw oi the face plate for an outlet receptacle, a stop member for the screw mounted on the stem of the latter near but removed from its inner end, an inwardly tapering body slidable on the stem of said screw outwardly of said stop member for movement longitudinally of said screw, a spring interposed between said body and said stop member and normally yieldingly urging the body outwardly, and a nut engageable with the threaded stem of said screw and arranged to force the body inwardly against the action of said spring and to a position for engagement with an attachment plug engaged in an outlet of an outlet receptacle.

RICHARD S. OBRIEN. 

